Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Maps and Trade (3)
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As the saying goes, even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and a good start is half the battle.
By the same logic, to successfully implement a nationwide project, it's essential to achieve small successes at the starting point.
That way, you can use those accomplishments as evidence to convince others and gain momentum for the larger endeavor.
"Ram, is Myeonghoe feeling any better now?"
"That guy's been sleeping soundly in the cabin since earlier, Master."
"Better to sleep it off than suffer through bad seasickness. It's for the best, really."
Even after waking, he won't be free from seasickness.
But at least while he's asleep, he won't be tormented by it. Better to sleep than puke your guts out.
"Wasn't he the one looking forward to this trip to Jinhae the most? To start heaving the moment the ship set sail... He must have felt so cheated."
"He'll forget all about the seasickness the instant we arrive and start splashing around. Don't worry about it, Master."
"True. He said he was so excited the night before we left Hanyang that he couldn't sleep a wink."
Records say that after turning twenty, Han Myeonghoe and Gwon Ram wandered all over the country.
Some say they left Hanyang to breathe fresh air and enjoy freedom because they were dissatisfied with the world...
But hearing that Myeonghoe was so thrilled about coming to Jinhae that he couldn't sleep last night makes me think they might have just loved traveling.
Probably roamed around sightseeing at famous spots and venting about the world along the way.
"Master, you're coming to Jinhae County for official business, so why did you insist on bringing us along?"
"Don't you want to come?"
"It's not that I don't want to. I'm just worried we might get in the way of your duties."
Whether it's Gwon Ram or Myeonghoe, both grew up in tough environments, so they're unusually mature for kids their age.
Seeing them like that tugs at my heartstrings.
But growing up fast isn't all bad.
If they were immature for their age and kept getting into trouble, that would be a real headache.
"The official business I have to handle this time isn't that difficult. I'm going to try introducing a new way to manage the people, figure out the local specialties, and investigate what's lacking here. That's it."
"My knowledge is shallow and limited, but even from what I've heard, it doesn't sound easy at all..."
"I've already drafted the new management law and its implementation plan in writing, so no issues there. As for specialties and shortages, just ask the Jinhae magistrate and the locals. Easy enough."
The new law I'm introducing requires setting up the framework and convincing the people of its necessity—that's the tricky part...
Once we clear those two hurdles, the rest will proceed smoothly.
Actually, even if it doesn't go perfectly smooth, it won't matter much.
Because the primary survey for the Jinhae gazetteer isn't my job—it's up to the current Jinhae magistrate and his clerks.
"And as I said several times before leaving, I didn't bring you and Myeonghoe just to sightsee other towns."
Myeonghoe might be fine, but Gwon Ram must have deep scars from his father's abuse.
Of course, the abuse wasn't Ram's fault.
But from educational and psychological perspectives, those who've been abused are more likely to become abusers themselves due to personality damage.
To prevent that, they must strive to be several times kinder than average people.
That's why I brought Ram to Jinhae—to give him motivation to live kindly.
Seeing how the people here respect me purely might inspire him to strive to be like me.
"I brought you to see firsthand how the people live. And to understand how your future roles as officials—after passing the exams—will affect them, and how officials should govern the people."
"I'll keep that in mind, Master."
"Good."
I patted the dutiful Gwon Ram's shoulder approvingly.
"And doesn't it get boring living a rigid life of nothing but study? Once the work's done, let's go fishing, just us."
"Is it proper for a scholar to fish?"
In Joseon, fishing is for fishermen to make a living; it's frowned upon for yangban scholars.
They say when a fishing enthusiast yangban dies, the first thing they do is burn his fishing gear.
Excess in anything is bad.
But experiencing various activities is highly beneficial.
"Scholars criticize fishing because once some taste it, they abandon studies and roam mountains and rivers obsessed with angling. But must people live solely for study?"
Parents who excelled in studies don't outright ban their kids from games or force study every waking hour.
Because forcing it just means they'll sit at the desk with the book open, mind elsewhere, ruining efficiency.
So people need to cultivate the ability and habit to play when playing and focus solely on study when studying.
Gwon Ram's eyes sparkled at my words.
Soon after, the captain signaled the crew.
"Prepare to dock!"
Moments later, the ship arrived at the pier.
I immediately took Gwon Ram and Myeonghoe to the county office.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ They say among office workers: Before retirement, they're directors and managers; after, just neighborhood uncles.
Well, I'm not retired, and compared to my time as Jinhae magistrate, my rank has jumped ten whole grades...
Even more successful now, but since I'm not in charge here anymore, I figured they'd be awkward or wary around me...
But the first person I met upon entering, Clerk I-bang, broke into a beaming smile and welcomed me warmly.
"Oh, sir! What an honor to have you back in Jinhae. Coming straight to the office means official business, I suppose... But we clerks—no, everyone in Jinhae—hasn't forgotten your grace for a single day. No one here wouldn't welcome you."
"Easy now, you're embarrassing me."
"If you spare a little time after business, I'll notify the local yangban and prepare a modest gathering."
"No need to go that far."
I-bang bowed his head.
"Thanks to you, sir, not just the people of Jinhae but us clerks have prospered too. I may not master the Classics, but I know the basic propriety: repay received grace when opportunity arises."
"Then keep it modest. No lavish spreads that break the table legs."
"Yes, sir."
When yangban usually say 'prepare modest food,' the office staff interpret it as: Pretend thrift, but bring out the twelve-course banquet with fine liquor.
Once served, they feign reluctance: 'I spoke plainly, yet you bring such extravagance... People these days...' And gobble it up. That's Joseon etiquette.
But as magistrate here, I truly meant modest preparations, and we ate simply.
I-bang remembers that, so he won't overdo it.
"Yes, sir."
I-bang hurriedly gathered his documents and headed to the clerks' office.
I was looking for a public slave to guide me to the guest waiting room in the audience hall.
Then I saw a neatly dressed thirty-something yangban in a durumagi coming from inside the office.
He saw me and asked, unable to hide his shock.
"Good heavens, Inspector Kim, what brings you to this humble Jinhae?"
"The Hall of Worthies needs to compile a new gazetteer, so I'm starting the required work here first. And while here, to strengthen local control, I'll introduce the fifteen percent tax and test merchant taxation methods."
The magistrate, encountering me unexpectedly in the audience hall and hearing for the first time about the new systems and gazetteer, paled.
"Pardon?"
"It's essential for Joseon, so don't worry—just cooperate well."